By Anselmo Helder Chihuissa Januário, Leodumira Irina Pereira Lourenço, Maria Correia Pedro Francisco, and Weza Dikamba de Carvalho Cutala
From March 24 to 26, the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) held its first symposium in Sub-Saharan Africa, hosted in Luanda, Angola. The event assembled over 140 delegates representing 45 institutions from 15 nations from various institutions within energy sector including regulators, operators, service companies and academic institutions. The focus was on understanding how emerging geophysical techniques improve subsurface imaging, de-risking exploration, and enabling more sustainable production.
Advanced Geophysics for Pre-Salt and Frontier Basins
Modern exploration strategies are increasingly driven by the convergence of innovation and data. By integrating cutting-edge technologies across every phase—from geophysical imaging and reservoir modeling to sustainable energy solutions—explorers can unlock previously inaccessible hydrocarbon potential with greater precision, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.
Key discussions were centered around technologies as highlighted below
- Acquisition Technology
The application of low-frequency seismic sources in like Gemini integrated with broadband seismic processing and Pre-Stack Depth Migration (PSDM) have further advanced Angola’s imaging capabilities—cutting depth uncertainty in turbidites from 25m to just 3m.
The transition from Wide-Angle Towed Streamers (WATS) to Ocean Bottom Node (OBN) acquisition was emphasized for frontier and subsalt exploration. With improved vector fidelity and imaging in complex geology, OBN is proving critical for reducing exploration risk.
- Advanced Geophysics: Presentations demonstrated how Elastic Full Waveform Inversion (FWI) enables more accurate depth predictions and reduce uncertainty in complex pre-salt carbonate formations reservoir delineation in salt basins such as the Lower Congo and Kwanza Basin. Deepwater case studies showcased the effectiveness of Amplitude Versus Offset (AVO) analysis for identifying productive reservoir intervals
- Non seismic: Sessions also discussed combining seismic data with Controlled Source Electromagnetics (CSEM)
- Sustainable Development Technologies: Projects like Angola’s Kaminho demonstrated how CO₂ reinjection and all-electric FPSOs can merge high-performance production with environmental stewardship.
- Infrastructure-Led Exploration: Block 15/06 case study showcases how Infrastructure-Led Exploration (ILX) combined with seismic reprocessing can reignite value in mature fields.
- Innovative Surface Geochemistry Tools: The use of cost-effective methods such as the Microbial Oil Survey Technique (MOST) opens new frontiers in onshore basin analysis without invasive procedures.
- Regional Geology and Production Optimization
Day 3 centered on tectonostratigraphic insights from the Namibe and Kwanza basins, with emphasis on leveraging core and cuttings for improved stratigraphic interpretation. Presentations demonstrated how high-resolution 3D and 4D seismic surveys are enabling dynamic reservoir management, particularly in deepwater offshore fields. Production optimization strategies—including gas lift and injection well fine-tuning—were presented through case studies like the BCA platform, which demonstrated increased recovery efficiency via targeted interventions.
Looking Ahead
With growing emphasis on gas monetization, CO₂ storage, and the integration of renewables, Angola is implementing a comprehensive and diversified approach to its energy development. The symposium underscored the importance of data integration, digital transformation, and cross-sector collaboration in shaping Angola’s energy future.
We are pleased to announce that the next edition will take place from 24 – 26 April in 2026. To explore more SEG events and stay informed, visit: https://seg.org/events/events-calendar/
